Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it?

Aaron · 03-31-2008, 12:22 PM

Just bought a 2008 Prius Touring with Package #5 (NM) and noticed it didn't come with the auto-on headlights. I thought mine was FULLY LOADED but, without leather?? Is this an additional option?

I love this car, but just thought it should have this since it has everything else.

Also, my dealer offered me a sunroof for a $1000. I was taken back b/c I didn't know dealers offered such options on the Prius and I read on this forum that people were getting this after-market only and their dealer didn't offer this.

auricchio · 03-31-2008, 12:27 PM

As far as I can tell from Toyota's web site, auto-on headlights are not available on the Prius. They certainly weren't in 2006 or before.

As for the sunroof, that isn't a Toyota option. Some dealers work with aftermarket installers to put in a sunroof.

qbee42 · 03-31-2008, 12:32 PM

Auto headlights are offered in Canada but not the U.S.. Canadian models also have daytime running lights, but you cannot get the HID headlamps in Canada.

There is no factory sunroof option for the Prius, only after-market.

Tom

Aaron · 03-31-2008, 12:49 PM

ok, good. I thought I got cheated out of my auto-headlights

Rich96c4ce · 03-31-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron

Just bought a 2008 Prius Touring with Package #5 (NM) and noticed it didn't come with the auto-on headlights. I thought mine was FULLY LOADED but, without leather?? Is this an additional option?

I love this car, but just thought it should have this since it has everything else.

Also, my dealer offered me a sunroof for a $1000. I was taken back b/c I didn't know dealers offered such options on the Prius and I read on this forum that people were getting this after-market only and their dealer didn't offer this.

For North America, auto headlights are only available for Pruis in Canada, and I believe that they are standard. That is because Canada mandates the installation and use of daytime running lamps with the requirement that there be a telltale or automatic switching to headlamps, so that drivers do not use DRLs into the night. Because DRLs are not mandatory in the U.S. and because they use energy that reduces the EPA mileage rating, I am presuming that Toyota chose to not include DRLs on the Prius, contrary to installing them on almost every other vehicle that it sells in North America.

So, there you go, lower cost and higher fuel efficiency appear to be the reasons that we don't get it. I have it on my Expedition (even though it does not have DRLs) and it sure a convenience. If we had DLRs, though, it would be an important safety feature to assure that we see well into the night.

And, as just stated above, we get to choose HIDs instead of halogen, and for the industrious, we can add DRLs too.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-31-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich96c4ce

For North America, auto headlights are only available for Pruis in Canada, and I believe that they are standard. That is because Canada mandates the installation and use of daytime running lamps with the requirement that there be a telltale or automatic switching to headlamps, so that drivers do not use DRLs into the night. Because DRLs are not mandatory in the U.S. and because they use energy that reduces the EPA mileage rating, I am presuming that Toyota chose to not include DRLs on the Prius, contrary to installing them on almost every other vehicle that it sells in North America.

So, there you go, lower cost and higher fuel efficiency appear to be the reasons that we don't get it. I have it on my Expedition (even though it does not have DRLs) and it sure a convenience. If we had DLRs, though, it would be an important safety feature to assure that we see well into the night.

And, as just stated above, we get to choose HIDs instead of halogen, and for the industrious, we can add DRLs too.

Err... DRLs do NOT require automatic headlights. Just look at the Corolla, Matrix, Civic, fortwo, Yaris, Fit, Aveo, Aveo5, Wave, Accent, Elantra, CSX, TSX etc etc etc. They all don't have automatic headlights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron

Just bought a 2008 Prius Touring with Package #5 (NM) and noticed it didn't come with the auto-on headlights. I thought mine was FULLY LOADED but, without leather?? Is this an additional option?

I love this car, but just thought it should have this since it has everything else.

Also, my dealer offered me a sunroof for a $1000. I was taken back b/c I didn't know dealers offered such options on the Prius and I read on this forum that people were getting this after-market only and their dealer didn't offer this.

cause you're not Canadian, eh?

Rich96c4ce · 03-31-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Err... DRLs do NOT require automatic headlights. Just look at the Corolla, Matrix, Civic, fortwo, Yaris, Fit, Aveo, Aveo5, Wave, Accent, Elantra, CSX, TSX etc etc etc. They all don't have automatic headlights.That's true, that auto headlights are not required. What is required is that the vehicle have either DRLs+auto headlights or DRLs+an intrument panel annunciator for "DRLs-in-use."

cause you're not Canadian, eh?

I can't beat that answer, eh!

**Tideland Prius** · 03-31-2008, 04:08 PM

hahahaha.

Yes you're right although so far, I've only seen Hondas (Canadian spec) that have a "DRL" button illuminated in yellow and I think that's on older Hondas.

Up here, we have a "taillight on" indicator vs. your "headlight on" indicator that you guys have.

Our "taillight on" indicator looks like to eyes with long eyelashes back-to-back against each other. Your "headlight on" indicator is just a bulb with "light" streaks coming out of it. Hope that made sense.

David Beale · 03-31-2008, 04:54 PM

The above posters are correct that the US cars don't have auto headlamps. However, if you leave the headlamp switch on, the headlamps will go off when you exit the car (open drivers door!!) and on when you next switch the car on. So you get, "sort of" "auto" headlamps. Be warned, if you stop the car but don't open the drivers door, the headlamps will not go out, and you can quickly drain the 12V battery.

The Canadian auto on headlamps turn on the DRLs when you start the car and release the parking brake. When it is or gets dark, first the dash lights come on, then the headlamps as it gets darker. And if it gets light again, they both go out (again staged as above). For example, in my garage it's dark and the headlamps come on when I start the car. When I back out, after a short delay, the headlamps go out and the DRL function comes on (in the daylight, of course

).

Fibb222 · 03-31-2008, 05:05 PM

Hey Tideland, ever go on BC Ferries for small runs like to Gabriola? After the car is off the headlights stay on unless I open the car door. One time at night I didn't notice they were on and the ferry crew told me to turn them off. I was like, buh! how? The whole deck was dark except for my headlights. It was late. Kind of embarrassing.

03-31-2008, 12:22 PM	#1
Aaron Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Monroe, Ohio Posts: 91 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it? Just bought a 2008 Prius Touring with Package #5 (NM) and noticed it didn't come with the auto-on headlights. I thought mine was FULLY LOADED but, without leather?? Is this an additional option? I love this car, but just thought it should have this since it has everything else. Also, my dealer offered me a sunroof for a $1000. I was taken back b/c I didn't know dealers offered such options on the Prius and I read on this forum that people were getting this after-market only and their dealer didn't offer this.

03-31-2008, 12:27 PM	#2
auricchio Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cambria, CA, USA Posts: 855 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it? As far as I can tell from Toyota's web site, auto-on headlights are not available on the Prius. They certainly weren't in 2006 or before. As for the sunroof, that isn't a Toyota option. Some dealers work with aftermarket installers to put in a sunroof.

03-31-2008, 12:32 PM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,701 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	Re: Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it? Auto headlights are offered in Canada but not the U.S.. Canadian models also have daytime running lights, but you cannot get the HID headlamps in Canada. There is no factory sunroof option for the Prius, only after-market. Tom

03-31-2008, 12:49 PM	#4
Aaron Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Monroe, Ohio Posts: 91 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it? ok, good. I thought I got cheated out of my auto-headlights

03-31-2008, 04:08 PM	#8
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,931 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Re: Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it? hahahaha. Yes you're right although so far, I've only seen Hondas (Canadian spec) that have a "DRL" button illuminated in yellow and I think that's on older Hondas. Up here, we have a "taillight on" indicator vs. your "headlight on" indicator that you guys have. Our "taillight on" indicator looks like to eyes with long eyelashes back-to-back against each other. Your "headlight on" indicator is just a bulb with "light" streaks coming out of it. Hope that made sense.

03-31-2008, 04:54 PM	#9
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,556 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it? The above posters are correct that the US cars don't have auto headlamps. However, if you leave the headlamp switch on, the headlamps will go off when you exit the car (open drivers door!!) and on when you next switch the car on. So you get, "sort of" "auto" headlamps. Be warned, if you stop the car but don't open the drivers door, the headlamps will not go out, and you can quickly drain the 12V battery. The Canadian auto on headlamps turn on the DRLs when you start the car and release the parking brake. When it is or gets dark, first the dash lights come on, then the headlamps as it gets darker. And if it gets light again, they both go out (again staged as above). For example, in my garage it's dark and the headlamps come on when I start the car. When I back out, after a short delay, the headlamps go out and the DRL function comes on (in the daylight, of course ). __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius. Last edited by David Beale; 03-31-2008 at 04:56 PM.

03-31-2008, 05:05 PM	#10
Fibb222 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 709 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: Auto-on Headlights: Why didn't my Prius have it? Hey Tideland, ever go on BC Ferries for small runs like to Gabriola? After the car is off the headlights stay on unless I open the car door. One time at night I didn't notice they were on and the ferry crew told me to turn them off. I was like, buh! how? The whole deck was dark except for my headlights. It was late. Kind of embarrassing.